USA > Indiana > Huntington County > History of Huntington County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the State of Indiana > Part 73
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.
country's call for volunteers, enlisting August 21. 1862, in Com- pany E, Seventy-Third Indiana Infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged, June 8, 1865. His regiment was in the Second Brigade, Third Division and Fourteenth Army Corps, and participated in a number of bloody battles, including Huntsville, Milton, Howe's Gap. Tullahoma, Chickamaugua, Mis- sion Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Dalton, Resacca, Kenesaw Moun- tain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Savannah, Golds- boro, Bentonville, Smithfield and others, in all of which Mr. Heaston took an active part. During his long period of service, he never missed roll call except when on duty, and was never in the hospital a day for sickness or any kind of disability. After his discharge, Mr. Heaston returned to Huntington County and engaged in farming on the home place, but subsequently in 1873 purchased the farm on which he has since resided. He has been a successful farmer, and at this time owns- a beautiful place of eighty acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has always taken an active interest in politics and held the of- fice of Trustee in the Township of Lancaster. He was also ap- pointed by the court, Drainage Commissioner, but resigned the position to accept the nomination for County Auditor on the Re- publican ticket, for which office he was defeated by a diminished majority, his competitor having been elected by only twenty- one votes. In the fall of 1886, he was again the regular Republi- can nominee for Auditor and was elected to the office by a ma- jority of 335 votes, the largest majority given to any man on the ticket, a fact which attests his great personal popularity throughout the county. Mr. Heaston was married March 8, 1866, to Miss Phoebe C. Reed, daughter of Hosea and Susan (Mc- Vicker) Reed, the father born in Virginia and the mother in Ohio. Mrs. Heaston was born March 31, 1843, and is the mother of four children, two of whom are now living.
WILLIAM H. HEINDEL, a farmer of Rock Creek Town- ship, was born in Hancock County, this State, January 14, 1841. He is the only son in a family of five children, born to William and Charlottie (Winehold) Heindel, who were both natives of York County, Penn. The parents in early life moved to Ohio, and later to Hancock County, remaining in the latter place until August, 1846, when they came to Huntington County, and located on the Salamonie. Here the father entered eighty acres of land and suffered the privations of pioneer life in a forest country. After three years there they removed to Rock Creek Township, which has been their home ever since. Will- iam Heindel was but five years of age when his parents brought him to this county, and from that time to this his life has been spent in the active duties of farm life. His education was obtained in the common schools of his neighborhood which has been largely supplemented by practical experience and observa- tion. In 1873, he built one of the best tile mills in the county, at
Henry & Semmiel
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a cost of $2,600, and with that has done a prosperous business ever since. In addition to his tiling interests he now owns a valuable farm of 320 acres all well supplied with good under-draining. During early life he voted the Democratic ticket in political mat- ters, but has of late inclined to the principles of the Nationalists. He is a member of the order of Patrons of Husbandry. January 25, 1864, his marriage with Hannah Crawford was celebrated. She is a daughter of David and Ellen (Roberts) Crawford, and was born in Grant County, October 8, 1843. To Mr. and Mrs. Heindel have been born five children: Charlottie, wife of H. M. Williams, David H., Matilda E., Rosetta, and William O. Through his own industry Mr. Heindel has now secured a good home, and is the leading business man of his township where he is highly esteemed by his acquaintances.
JOHN P. HENDERSON, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Perry County, Ohio, and second son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Ramsey) Henderson, parents both born in Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by occupation and served with distinction in the War of 1812. He moved to Ohio when a young man, and was one of the pioneers of that State, locating in Perry County where his death occurred in an early day. He was the father of eight children, the subject of this sketch being the second in number. John P. Henderson was born September 28, 1814, and received his early training in the school of industry, having been raised to the hard work of the farm. He attended the common schools for a limited period, and on reaching the years of manhood engaged as workman on the public works, in which capacity he continued for a short time. Having early manifested a decided taste for mechanical pursuits, he took up the carpenter's trade, at which he served a two years' apprenticeship, and in which he acquired great proficiency, working at the same with encouraging success for a period of seven years. October, 1846, he abandoned his trade and came to Huntington County, Ind., locating upon the farm where he has since lived in Rock Creek Township. The country at that time was comparatively new, and like the other early settlers, Mr. Henderson was obliged to undergo many hard- ships in order to develop a home from the almost unbroken for- est. His has been a very active and industrious life, and as a result of his labors he now has a beautiful farm under successful cultivation, good buildings and the other accessories necessary to make life comfortable. He has been called at different times to fill official positions, has served two terms as Township Trus- tee, eight terms as Constable, and three terms as Assessor, in all of which he acquitted himself in a manner highly satisfactory to all concerned, He is a Democrat in politics and, as such has rendered efficient service to the party in this county. January 20, 1841, he married Lydia Runkel, daughter of Jeremiah and Christiana Runkel. She was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, January 31, 1822, and is the mother of nine children, eight of
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whom are now living. Their names are as follows, to wit: Mary E., wife of William Pritchett; Belinda, wife of E. Hayes; Samuel R., Amanda, wife of S. Dalby; John W., George R., Clara, wife of Isaac Spow, and Francis M. Henderson. The deceased member of the family, Sarah J., died June 18, 1864.
WILLIAM F. HUNT, native of Summit County, Ohio, and sixth child of Abner and Betsey (Johnson) Hunt, was born on the 16th day of March, 1823. His paternal ancestors came from England in colonial times and settled in the eastern states. His grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1776, and took an active part throughout that entire struggle. His ancestors on his mother's side were Irish people. Abner Hunt, subject's father, was a native of Massachusetts, which State he left about the year 1816, emigrating to Summit County, Ohio, having been one of the early pioneers of that part of the State. He was a farmer by occupation, reared a family of eleven children, and died in the fall of 1875, at a ripe old age. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood amid the rugged scenes of pioneer life, and early became accustomed to those habits of industry by which his life has always been characterized. He remained with his parents until his twentieth year, and then began working as a farm laborer for $10.00 per month, in which capacity he continued for a period of five years. He then purchased eighty acres of timber land, upon which he began making improvements, and which he sold in 1853, and moved to Huntington County, Ind. He purchased a tract of 215 acres in Rock Creek Township, and by dint of industry succeeded in a few years in clearing a good home, from what was at the time an almost unbroken forest. He purchased additional tracts of land at different times, and at one time owned 275 acres, all of which, except the original tract, has been divided among his children. Miss Elizabeth Butter- field, of Medina County, Ohio, became his wife on the 22d of September, 1848. She is the daughter of Abraham and Jemima Butterfield, and was born on the 30th day of January, 1830. The following are the names of children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, to-wit: Alfred W., Charles E., Andrew, deceased, Calvin, War- ren, deceased, Clara E., wife of C. M. Smith, Leonard A., Mary M., and Rosa M. Mr. Hunt is one of the enterprising citizens of his township, takes an active part in all movements for the pub- lic welfare, and is a member of the Republican party; takes a lively interest in politics.
WILLIAM L. KEMP, farmer and Trustee of Rock Creek Township, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 21, 1845, the only child of William and Elizabeth (Hempy) Kemp; parents natives of the same county and State. His maternal ancestors were natives of Maryland, his grandfather, Henry Hempy, emi- grating from that State to Ohio in quite an early day. William Kemp, the father, was a farmer by occupation and for a number
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of years lived near the City of Lancaster, Ohio. His death occurred in 1851, or 1852. His widow subsequently married John Hill and in a later year moved to Huntington County, Ind., where she still lives. The subject was reared to agricultural pursuits;, early learned those lessons of industry and frugality which dis- tinguishes the successful business man, and at the age of sixteen began life for himself as a farm hand, working in the fields in summer and feeding stock during the winter seasons. He married, December 23, 1869, Miss Nancy J. Brubaker, daughter of John and Catherine Brubaker, of Ohio. She was born in Perry County, Ohio, May 19, 1849, and is the mother of nine children, seven of whom are living, viz .: Halleck M., Lola C., Emma E., Libbie J., Dessie A., Willis L. and Elsie V. Mr. Kemp lived upon and worked rented farms until 1881, when he purchased his pres- ent place of seventy-four acres in Rock Creek Township, upon which he has since made many valuable improvements. He is one of the leading citizens of his township, an earnest supporter of the Democratic party, and in the spring of 1886 was elected to the office of Trustee, the duties of which position he has since discharged in an eminently satisfactory manner.
SAMUEL KING, retired farmer, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, September 30, 1827. His father, John King, was a native of Rockingham County, Va., from which State in early life he emigrated to Ohio with his parents, making the journey on foot, and carrying his chopping ax the entire distance. This was about the year 1812. In 1814 or '15 he married Catherine Harshbarger, also a native of Rockingham County, Va., by whom he had twelve children, the subject of this sketch being the ninth in number. He lost his wife early in the thirties, and within a short time married Mary Avery, who bore him six children, making in all a family of eighteen, ten of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. He was one of the substantial citizens of Montgomery County, Ohio, and at the time of his death was in possession of a very valuable property, the fruit of his unaided industry. Samuel King grew to manhood upon a farm in Montgomery County, Ohio, and received, in such schools as the county afforded, the elements of an English education. He remained with his parents until his marriage, which took place when he was twenty years of age, when he engaged in agricultural pursuits upon his own responsibility, renting land for a period of two years. At the end of that time he purchased eighty acres, going in debt for nearly the entire amount asked for the place, and lived upon the same until 1865, making quite a number of substantial improvements in the meantime. In the summer of 1865, he purchased his present home, 220 acres, to which he moved in August of that year, and which he has since made one of the best farms in Huntington County. With the exception of three years spent in the mercantile business in Ohio, Mr. King has been actively engaged in farming and stock
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raising, in both of which branches of industry he has met with more than ordinary success. He has recently built a beautiful residence at Plum Tree, in which village he is spending his de- clining years, having retired from the active duties of life. Mr. King in early life, was a Whig, but when the banner of that his- toric old party was trailed in the dust, he identified himself with its successor, the Republican party, of which he has since been an earnest and uncompromising supporter, being at this time one of its leaders in Rock Creek Township. On the 30th of Octo- ber, 1847, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Sarah M. Cusick, a native of Loudoun County, Va., and daughter of Walter and Mary (Burns) Cusick. The following are the names of the children born to this marriage that are living, viz .: Francis M., born Aug- ust 1, 1850; John W., born February 14, 1854; Horace G., born April 12, 1860; Ida Idalla, wife of George W. Souers, born Jan- uary 19, 1863; Lima May, wife of William Eckman, born Decem- ber 25, 1864, and Cyrus H., born June 19, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. King belong to the Methodist Church, as do also all of their children.
JOHN LEAKEY, the subject of this biography, was born in Henry County, Ind., August 25, 1822, the second son of Joseph R. and Abigail Leakey, natives respectively of Tenn- essee and Ohio. His paternal ancestors came from England in an early day, and his grandfather was a soldier in the last war with Great Britain. Joseph R. Leakey was raised in East Tennessee until his nineteenth year, having early been left an orphan. In company with his mother, brother and sisters, he emigrated to Butler County, Ohio, where, on the 21st day of September, 1820, he married Miss Abigail Biggs. In March, 1822, he moved to Henry County, Ind., where he engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, being one of the earliest pioneers of that section. He experienaed all the obstacles and privations incident to set- tlement in a new country, succeeded in accumulating a hand- some competence, and was one of the leading citizens of his adopted county. He was a representative politician of the old Whig school, and, with his wife, was an active member of the Church of the Disciples. His first wife died December 7, 1839, and on the 23d of July, 1840, was solemnized his second marriage with Mrs. Martha A. (Haskett) Newbold, by whom he bad six chil- dren. By his previous marriage he had a family of ten children, which, with four step children by his second wife, made an aggre- gate of twenty children, whom he reared to manhood and woman- hood. Of this number, all are married, except one son, and the family was represented in the late war by six sons, who donned the blue and did valiant service in defense of the National Union. Mr. Leakey died January 18, 1872. His wife survives him and lives at this time in Henry County. John Leakey was reared on a farm in Henry County, and received a practical edu- cation in such schools as the county at that time afforded. He
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remained on the home place until attaining his majority, when he began farming for himself, purchasing a place in Henry County, which he improved and owned until 1868. In that year he disposed of his interest in Henry County and a little later purchased his present farm in Huntington County, upon which but four acres of land had been cleared. By great industry he soon had a goodly number of acres in cultivation, and by con- stantly improving his place, has at this time a very comfortable and attractive home. He was married November 2, 1843, to Miss Mary Corwine, of Mason County, Ky., but at that time a resi- dent of Henry County, this State. She is the daughter of George and Nancy Corwine, natives respectively of New Jersey and West Virginia, and was born on the 16th day of April, 1823. The parents moved to Kentucky at a very early day, and from that State, in 1833, to Indiana, locating in Henry County, where they lived until their respective deaths, which occurred as follows: The father, September 24, 1851, and the mother, September 23, 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Leakey had one child, a daughter, Martha A., who died at the age of five years. Tney subsequently adopted a niece, Clarissa Vermillion, whose name was changed to that of Leakey. Mr. and Mrs. Leakey are both members of the Dis- ciples Church.
A. M. LEAKY, the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical sketch, was born in Henry County, Ind., July 18, 1843, and is the second son of Joseph R. and Martha A. (Has- kett) Leakey. (See sketch of John Leakey.) The mother was a daughter of Anthony and Mary (St. Clair) Haskett, and was born in North Carolina, June 13, 1813. A. M. Leakey was reared on a farm, received an English education in the common schools and remained with his parents until 1862, at which time when but nineteen years of age, he laid aside the peaceful vocation of farming, to answer his country's call for volunteers, enlisting the fall of that year in Fifty-Fourth Indiana Infantry. This regiment was registered in the Fourteenth Army Corps, joined Gen. Sherman's command at Vicksburg, and was first engaged at the battle of Chickasaw in which encounter the subject par- ticipated. Later it was engaged at Arkansas Post, and Siege of Vicksburg, in the latter of which Mr. Leakey, with ninety- six comrades, was taken prisoner. He was paroled at the end of three months having undergone great privation during the period of his incarceration. His term of enlistment expiring he returned home, but after a stay of only twenty days, he re entered the service, enlisting January 25, 1864, in the Twentieth Indiana Battery, with which he served until honorably discharged, June 2, 1865, participating in a number of battles and active cam- paigns in the meantime. On leaving the army he returned to Huntington County, where on the 19th day of September, 1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Clara Leakey, adopted daughter of John Leakey. She was born in Putnam County,
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Ind., May 22, 1845, and is the daughter of Anderson and Lucinda (Corwine) Vermillion, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respec- tively. In August, 1866, Mr. Leakey moved to Rock Creek Town- ship, and purchased an eighty-acre tract of forest land, which he at once began improving. In 1873 he sold his place and moved to Putnam County, but six months later returned to Huntington County, where he has since resided. He purchased his present beautiful farm of 100 acres in 1876, and is now one of the lead- ing farmers of the township. In addition to his farming inter- ests Mr. Leakey has carried on quite an extensive business as contractor and builder. Many of the best buildings in this and adjoining townships, being the work of his hands. He is a staunch Republican in politics, and as such has done good ser- vice to his party in this county, though never asking for official position at the hands of his fellow citizens. He and wife are members of the Christian (Disciples) Church. The following are the names of their living children, to-wit: William P., born May 25, 1867; L. E., born May 17, 1873; Mary V., born December 7,1879.
JOHN W. LUCKEY was born in Clinton County, Ohio, Au- gust 23, 1845, and is the sixth of a family of thireen children born to William and Martha Luckey, natives of Ohio and Ken- tucky, respectively. His paternal grandfather, when but seven years of age, was captured by the Indians, and remained with them for a period of nearly eight years. He was finally secured by an English soldier, who traded a keg of rum for him, and im- mediately released him. He located in Athens County, Ohio, where he reared a large family, and where his death occurred many years ago. William Luckey, father of our subject, was born in Athens County, Ohio, June 2, 1799, and was a farmer by occupa- tion. He remained in his native State until 1853, at which time he immigrated to Huntington County, Ind., and purchased 440 acres of land in Rock Creek Township, 250 acres of which were improved. He was a man of great energy and decision of char- acter, and with his wife, belonged to the Christian Church, in which they were both active workers. He accumulated a valu- able property, reared twelve of his children to manhood and womanhood, and departed this life March, 1880. His wife, who was his companion in all his various experiences and vicissitudes of life, is still living, making her home with a son, in the town of Markle. John W. Luckey was brought to Huntington County when but eight years of age, and from that time until the pres- ent has been one of its most honorable and trustworthy citizens. He received a common school education, and during the War of the Rebellion, when but nineteen years old, he answered his country's call for volunteers, enlisting November 11, 1864, in Company C, Fortieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was mus- tered into the service at Kokomo, Ind., and in the Twenty-Third Army Corps, under Gen. Thomas, was first engaged at the battle
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of Spring Hill and Columbia, Tenn. At the battle of Frank- lin, Tenn., he with several of his comrades , was taken priso- ner, and for a period of four months and eighteen days suffered untold hardships in various prison pens, including the noted one at Andersonville. At the time of his parole, late in March, 1865, he was so nearly starved that he could not walk, and on reach- ing Jefferson Barracks, he was discharged on account of physi- cal disability. For two years after leaving the army he was an invalid, but at the end of that time he engaged in agricultural pursuits for his father, with whom he remained about two years longer. On the 15th of April, 1869, he was married to Miss Phebe Crandal, and immediately thereafter engaged in farming on the place where he has ever since resided. Mrs. Luckey is the daughter of Sidney and Emma (Granger) Crandal, natives respectively of Ohio and New York, and was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, on the 11th of March, 1851. The following are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Luckey, who are now living, viz .: Oscar E., born September 26, 1870; Herman S., born May 12, 1875; Freeman A., born December 11, 1881; Orin E., born September 30, 1884. Mr. Luckey is a Republican in politics, and an active member of the G. A. R., belonging to J. R. Slack Post, at Huntington. He and wife are working members of the Disciples Church.
JAMES MCFADDEN. - Prominent among the successful farmers and pioneers of Rock Creek Township, is the gentleman whose biographical sketch is hereby presented. James Mc- Fadden, Sr., father of the subject, was born in Donegal, Ireland, August 1, 1774, and at the age of nine years accompanied his parents to the United States, and settled first in Lancaster County, Penn. He was united in marriage in early life to Miss Christiana Rider, and subsequently they emigrated to Fayette County, Ohio, and from thence in 1816, to Wayne County, the same State, where his death occurred August 7, 1849. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, an active politician, and a consistent member of the English Lutheran Church. His wife survived him a number of years departing this life on the 13th day of April, 1874, at the advanced age of 95 years. James McFadden, Jr., immediate subject of this sketch, was born in Fayette County, June 23, 1810. At the age of six years he was taken by his parents to Wayne County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and where he received the advantages of a common school education. At the age of twenty-one he left home and for two years traveled in Illinois and Wisconsin, spending a year in each State. He left Ohio twice to make a home in the West, but each time returned, and on the 8th of October, 1840, was united in marriage with Sarah Smith, daugh- ter of Elias and Elizabeth (Beerbower) Smith, of Wayne County, Ohio. For a period of ten years Mr. McFadden lived upon his father's farm, but at the end of that time, 1850, he came to Hunt-
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ington County, Ind., and settled in Rock Creek Township, upon a tract of land that he had previously purchased. He soon erected a log cabin, and employing seven hands whom he gave employment all winter, had by the spring of 1851, sixty acres of land cleared and ready for cultivation. After this he lived quite comfortably and as the years went by succeeded in developing a fine farm and is at this time one of the leading citizens of the township. He has always taken an active interest in political affairs, and cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson in 1832. He has voted for every nominee of the Democratic party since that time except one and was personally acquainted with several of the Presidents, having known Garfield when that renowned states- man was quite a young man. He has held various official positions, including that of Assessor, Justice of the Peace, Super- visor of Highways, in all of which he acquitted himself with credit to himself, and in a manner satisfactory to all concerned. Mrs. McFadden was born February 5, 1819, and is the mother of the following children, viz .: Paulona, Terresa, Christian, Scott, Elizabeth, Nancy, James, Llewellyn.
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